Narrative: q. 1.

The Division   works together with its state partners, community providers and advocacy groups to ensure Supported Employment Services are available to eligible individuals. 

A. Quality.  Our management information system (AWARE) reports provide information on weekly wages, hours worked, and public assistance at the time of application and closure. The reports also provide information on the type of disabilities being served, the cost per case, and the average cost by counselor, region, and state. This information provides the information necessary to manage resources and ensure quality outcomes are achieved. The development of a joint data tracking system with the Department of Health and Human Services- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAHMS)and Aging and Disability Services (OADS)-continues to be pursued and would increase the ability to monitor ongoing supports provided to an individual to obtain and maintain successful, quality, employment

 The Division and the Department of Health and Human Services oversee a comprehensive workforce development system for employment staff such as Employment Specialists, Job Coaches and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, as well as other professionals who support individuals with disabilities in their pursuit of employment, including case managers, education staff, and care coordinators. The Employment Workforce Development System provides basic Employment Specialist certification, Advanced Topical Trainings, monthly webinars and a registry of certified Employment Specialists and Career Planners in the state. The Training Calendar provides a place where employment professionals and other human service professionals can get information on national, state and online options for employment related trainings.

 Community Rehabilitation Providers who contract with The Division can be approved to provide services following two different paths to accreditation-- CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) or The Division’s In–State approval process. In addition, they are required to employ staff who meet the Accreditation of Community Educators (ACRE) Employment Specialist qualifications, or other Division approved training, and meet ongoing continuing education requirements. 

The comprehensive In-State approval process includes evaluating areas such as:

• Mission statement, 
• Policies and Procedures (including assuring adherence to APSE standards for Supported Employment)
• Admission Criteria,
• Assessment Policy and Practice,
• Case Coordination,
• Client Input,
• Health and Safety,
• Personnel records documenting staff qualifications and background checks,
• Policies and practices regarding client rights and appeal procedures.
•  

The approval process also includes interviews with key stakeholders such as clients, employers, and funding agents.

B. Scope of Supported Employment:

 The primary service provided to clients in supported employment is job coaching since funds must be now used to support an individual who is in employment status. These direct services are provided by an Employment Specialist or a Job Coach, who supports the client through activities such as interactions with supervisors and peers, and integration into the workplace culture.

Additional services that may be provided as needed include social skills training, consultation with the employer and facilitation of natural supports.

Individuals with brain injuries, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities and autism that receive assistance from the Division in obtaining employment may require ongoing supports to maintain successful employment. These individuals can access employment related services through one of the four Home and Community Based Waivers (HCBS). Career Planning is available to assist an individual in exploring interests, skills and abilities prior to a referral to VR. All four HCBS waivers offer long term work supports to provide support at the job site. These supports are also available to assist a waiver member with their own business.  All employment services are determined by individual need through a person-centered planning approach that can include the VRC.

OADS has expanded available employment services to all 6,000 waiver participants during the last several years.  Currently there are an estimated 1,200 of these individuals employed but an additional 3,500 are of working age and have employment funding available to them when they choose to go to work. We anticipate three to four hundred of these individuals will be applying for VR during the next year.

Individuals with Mental Illness who meet diagnostic eligibility criteria for Maine Care Section 17.02 Community Support Services, and/or Maine Care Section 92.03 Behavioral Health Home Services and require ongoing supports to maintain successful employment may access Mental Health Long Term Supported Employment Services funded by the DHHS Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHS).  SAMHS contracts with Kepro, Inc to administer these services.

 The Division also has limited state dollars available to provide long term employment supports through two separate programs to VR consumers with the most significant disabilities who have been closed successfully.  The programs are The Basic Extended Support Program (BES) and the Brain Injury Support Program (BIS). The BES program has an annual cap per client of $3,000 and the BIS program has an annual cap per client of $8,000.

Employment services are also available to individuals with mental illness through Vocational Clubhouses. There are currently four vocational clubhouses in Maine. Transitional Employment is intended to build on basic job skills and build clubhouse members’ confidence in their ability to maintain competitive employment.  It is one of several employment options available through the Clubhouse approach.  Transitional employment offers part-time positions in integrated worksites in the community, for 6-9 months. The individuals are paid by employers who have an agreement with the clubhouse that if the individual is not able to work their shift, the position will be covered by staff from the clubhouse.  Clubhouse staff are also responsible for the training of the member on the job site, as well as providing job coaching on the job, thereby relieving the employer of these responsibilities. Transitional employment sites are meant to be a bridge on the way to permanent employment within the community, for those who need it.

The Division will continue to work together with its state agency partners and service providers to ensure that supported employment services are provided in a quality manner that supports the outcome of integrated, community-based employment.